Hijacked Part Five: Time for New Leadership

The “homeless industry” has been led by a generation of leaders who were amazing activists in the 1980s and early 1990s. They had a real heart to help people who were homeless. They mobilized faith groups and community groups. They fought hard for federal and local funding for homeless services. They are role models for those of us who are the next generation of nonprofit leaders. These leaders from 10-20 years ago are still around—they are homeless agency executives, homeless advocates, or working in government positions affecting policy and programs.


But this generation of leadership can probably see that the fight to end homelessness has been losing. In the past 20 years, homelessness in Los Angeles tripled in number—from 25,000 in 1985 to 90,000 in 2006. We need to stop using 1980’s homeless service models to address homelessness in 2007. You know we have a problem when there are people on our streets who are 50 to 60 years old, and have been homeless for YEARS. The system has failed them. It has failed our society.

I think it is time for a new generation of leaders to step forward and take over the battle to end homelessness. I represent a whole generation of 30-something year olds who are mid/senior-management staff executives in agencies or policy advisors in political or government offices. We are yearning to provide new and innovative solutions to addressing homelessness. And unlike our current generation, we collaborate more effectively, we have no problem “sharing the spotlight” and most important, we can TALK to one another without being territorial.

The only way to effectively fight the battle to end homelessness is for this current generation to take over. Fresh ideas and fresh attitudes will bring a breath of fresh air to this crisis.

We are not calling for a “revolution”, we are calling for an “evolution”!